Meeting Date: August 4, 2026
Meeting Time: 4:00 PM
Meeting Location: 5th Floor Board Room & Seminar Room, 1829 Denver West Drive, Building 27, Golden, Colorado
Meeting Type: Executive Session & Study Session with Special Public Comment
Meeting Overview
The Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education held an Executive Session and Study Session focused on potential Mill Levy Override (MLO) ballot initiatives, including possible funding options, intended uses, budget impacts, and future ballot language discussions. The meeting also included a special public comment period specifically related to MLO ballot initiatives.
The study session materials identified the purpose of the discussion as reviewing the district’s financial outlook and evaluating potential funding options for a General Purpose Mill Levy Override and a Special Purpose Mill Levy. The discussion was intended to examine proposed dollar amounts, intended uses, and budget forecasts to support an informed board discussion.
Key Meeting Topics
Executive Session
The Board convened an executive session to discuss:
- Purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer, or sale of real, personal, or other property interests specifically related to Moore Middle School.
- Receiving specific legal advice concerning possible ballot questions.
The executive session was closed to the public. The agenda stated the Board would reconvene in the Board Room after the session concluded.
The Board accepted limited public comment focused on a possible revenue-generating ballot initiative.
Community members were invited to provide input regarding:
- Program priorities.
- Staffing priorities.
- Capital spending priorities.
- Potential impacts on ballot language and future use of funds.
The Board also accepted written feedback through email. Public comment on other topics was directed to the next regular Board meeting.
Study Session: Mill Levy Override Options & Implications
Financial Context
The Board reviewed financial information following the FY27 Adopted Budget and multi-year General Fund forecasts. The materials identified two possible funding approaches:
General Purpose Mill Levy Override
A voter-approved property tax intended to provide additional local funding for:
- District operations.
- Programs.
- Services.
The proposal was described under Colorado Statute C.R.S. 22-40-108.
Special Purpose Mill Levy
A voter-approved property tax intended to provide dedicated local funding for:
- Capital construction.
- Maintenance.
- Technology improvements.
The proposal was described under Colorado Statute C.R.S. 22-54-108.7.
FY27 Budget Discussion
The presentation noted that the FY27 adopted budget assumed no new mill levies in the General Fund and Capital Reserve Fund.
The FY27 adopted budget summary showed:
FundBeginning Fund BalanceTotal RevenueTotal Expenditures & TransfersEnding Fund BalanceGeneral Fund$123 million$977 million$991 million$110 millionCapital Reserve Fund$74 million$31 million$64 million$41 million## Multi-Year Financial Forecast
The multi-year forecast highlighted concerns for future years, including:
- Revenue declines projected in FY28 despite expected inflationary increases to per-pupil funding.
- Expenses reflecting no cost-of-living adjustments to salary and benefits in FY28, consistent with FY27 assumptions.
Forecast figures presented included:
Fiscal YearRevenueExpenditures & TransfersEnding Fund Balance2025-26$979 million$1,030 million$123 million2026-27$977 million$991 million$110 million2027-28$975 million$993 million$92 million2028-29$986 million$1,008 million$70 million## General Purpose Mill Levy Override Discussion
The materials stated that the district partnership recommendation was to pursue additional MLO capacity. The update presented:
- A recommendation to maximize MLO capacity by collecting an additional $75 million per year.
- A current forecast that approximately $73 million per year would maximize Jeffco’s MLO capacity based on enrollment and other school finance factors.
The timeline presented indicated:
- Voter approval: November 2026.
- Mill certification: December 2026.
- Revenue received: March–August 2027.
- First full budget year: FY2027-28.
Potential Uses of General Purpose MLO Revenue
The presentation included an example budget scenario if $73 million were collected:
- Approximately $15 million could support already awarded compensation increases for district staff.
- Approximately $39.5 million could support future compensation increases.
The materials also described accountability measures, including:
- Tracking non-salary MLO investments within the General Fund using an extension of the chart of accounts.
- Annual public reporting within four months of year-end.
- Website updates.
- Mill Levy Override Committee meetings twice annually.
Special Purpose Mill Levy Discussion
The Special Purpose Mill Levy was described as dedicated funding for capital construction, maintenance, and technology improvements.
The presentation stated that leading into the current budget year, the district had been deferring between $34 million and $49 million of necessary capital improvements while drawing on capital reserves.
An illustrative allocation of $60 million in Special Purpose Levy revenue included:
- Charter share: approximately $7 million.
- District share: approximately $53 million.
Potential district uses included:
- Capital maintenance.
- Facility improvements.
- Building systems and infrastructure.
Capital Investment Priorities
The materials identified several deferred maintenance priorities:
- R22 refrigerant replacement needs affecting 96 school buildings.
- Cooling systems beyond service life.
- Plumbing deficiencies involving sewer and water main lines.
- Code compliance and life safety needs, including elevators and fire protection.
- Roofing systems beyond service life.
- Safety and security infrastructure upgrades.
The district described its capital prioritization process as using:
- Facility condition and lifecycle data.
- Maintenance request data.
- Energy use information.
- Community and operational experience.
Board Discussion and Future Steps
The Board discussion portion focused on potential ballot language related to a Mill Levy Override for the November 2026 election.
The meeting also included a preview of items expected for the August 20, 2026 regular Board meeting, including proposed action and consent agenda items.
The presented timeline highlights included:
- August 20: Board approval of ballot.
- September 4: District certification of ballot order.
- October 2: Ballots printed.
- October 9: Last day to withdraw ballot issue.
- November 3: Election Day.
This study session focused on the district’s financial outlook and potential voter-approved funding options. The Board reviewed possible Mill Levy Override and Special Purpose Levy approaches, including potential uses, accountability measures, capital needs, and the timeline for possible November 2026 ballot actions.
